Race 1
Race Summary: MRS SHACKLETON was touched off in a winners' race last time and a repeat of that performance could suffice. LAYDELAY had excuses for a disappointing last start but she would have every chance in this race in first-time blinkers if reproducing her penultimate effort. WHATASTAR and MORFELIHA have the form and experience to acquit themselves competitively too. Watch the betting on newcomers POTENZA and LOVELY DANCER.
Selections:
#6 Mrs Shackleton, #10 Laydelay, #2 Morfeliha, #9 Potenza
Race 2
Race Summary: UMZINGELI WENYATHI bumped a promising sort when finishing 2nd on his Western Cape debut - after a rest and gelding - and won't need to improve much on that peformance to go one better. KZN raider TOUCHED BY ANGELS, ZAGREB, GALLIC KING and PROTECTOR OF PEACE would have come on appreciably from encouraging introductions so should improve to be competitive. Newcomers HILTON HEADS, TAKETHEGREENLIGHT, FRACTAL and SKY PILOT (reserve) are worth a market check on debut.
Selections:
#13 Umzingeli Wenyathi, #10 Protector Of Peace, #7 Gallic King, #5 Touched By Angels
Race 3
Race Summary: IONA CASTLE caught the eye on debut when 2nd over a similar trip and she could improve sufficiently to open her account with that experience to count on. ROYAL DESIRE, CALL ME SECRET and SPIRIT OF NICAL will also know more about if after satisfactory introductions. Given their form and experience, VIXENS WAR and TAYLOR'S VERSION will likely pose more of a threat. BLUE LAGOON, MALIBU BLITZ and returning SEVEN NO TRUMP have shown enough to make their presence felt. Watch the betting on newcomers SILVER SALUTE and FUTURE JAZZ.
Selections:
#4 Iona Castle, #2 Vixens War, #14 Taylor's Version, #7 Silver Salute
Race 4
Race Summary: Several with chances in a big field, though none more so than HAZEL GREEN who would not be winning out of turn after 3 seconds in her last 4 starts. SOUTH OF FRANCE and recent runner-up NANNIE GOLD fit a similar profile so will likely make life difficult for the selection. BOOZY SUSIE, ROSE WOOTT, ELISA MBALI and PACIFIC WATERS are others with earning potential.
Selections:
#11 Hazel Green, #8 Nannie Gold, #12 South Of France, #1 Boozy Susie
Race 5
Race Summary: Best-weighted NATIVE RULER didn't go unnoticed when 6th from the widest draw in the Grade 1 HWB Durban July. He returns from a subsequent break off an unchanged mark and won't need to be fully tuned to make a winning reappearance. Stablemate OKAVANGO is held on that form but is weighted to be competitive. CAPTAIN WEST and HAT'S PRIDE are consistent performers with the means to make their presence felt too.
Selections:
#4 Native Ruler, #6 Okavango, #1 Captain West, #8 Hat's Pride
Race 6
Race Summary: Many with chances in a big field. ARCTIC WIZARD and stablemate SARDINIA BAY are unbeaten after gelding and will likely acquit themselves competitively with further improvement expected. The former won a similar 1000m contest last time and is weighted to play another leading role. UN BEL DI, ZIYASHA, DANCE VARIETY, RAVEN BLACK and KAIBOY are closely matched and capable of getting into the picture. However, the value could lie with veteran DEAN STREET who renews rivalry on better weight terms. Recent winners SCOTTISH KISS, LION RAMPART and DUMBLEDORE, as well as THE US OF A have claims too.
Selections:
#2 Dean Street, #1 Arctic Wizard, #13 The Us Of A, #5 Raven Black
Race 7
Race Summary: A quality Grade 3 renewal for 3yo colts and geldings with Cape Guineas aspirations. GOOD FOR YOU confirmed the promise of his 2yo campaign with an encouraging recent comeback and won't need to improve much over this extended trip to go one better. ARISTOCRATIC edged ABSOLUTELY YES in a recent Grade 3 meeting against older rivals and is weighted to confirm his superiority on these terms. Recently gelded duo RANDOLPH HEARST and PAY THE PALACE also have the means to make their presence felt too. SAUDI CAT is open to any amount of improvement over this extended trip so isn't taken lightly either.
Selections:
#10 Good For You, #8 Aristocratic, #7 Absolutely Yes, #4 Saudi Cat
Race 8
Race Summary: GREEN GATEWAY didn't go unnoticed on his reappearance at a higher level and he remains open to further improvement, especially in this lower grade. Recent maiden winners NIGHTRAIN and FREEDOM FIGHTER are also improving 3yo colts with the means to play leading roles. ONE LINER and STAR MAJOR are also lightly raced and have scope for improvement too, but they have already shown enough to be competitive. Returning GREEN GARNET, ESCARPMENT and SHOWGIRL (reserve) complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#8 Green Gateway, #11 Nightrain, #4 Star Major, #12 Freedom Fighter
Race 9
Race Summary: Improving UP IN FLAMES stayed on to finish 2nd over a shorter trip last time and will be hard to beat with any improvement over this extended trip. HOMING PIGEON, CASSANDRA and WAIT FOR ME (wears blinkers for the first time) fit a similar profile and will likely make it difficult for the selection. VIVO PER LEI, DIBBLE and CHAMPAGNE BLAZE appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#1 Up In Flames, #5 Homing Pigeon, #11 Wait For Me, #8 Vivo Per Lei
Best Win: #4 NATIVE RULER
Best Value Bet: #2 DEAN STREET
Best Longshot: #2 DEAN STREET
